Quinton B. Cutlip

Quinton
B.
Cutlip

A Senior Trial Attorney and team leader at the Dolan Law Firm, Quinton B. Cutlip spearheads precedent-setting and complex individual personal injury and civil rights lawsuits for clients across California in state and federal court. “My goal is to make things right for people who have been wronged,” Quinton states. He practices in state and federal courts throughout California.

A Highly-Skilled And Accomplished Trial Lawyer

Possessing 20 plus years of litigation experience, Quinton has righted wrongs for hundreds of clients and recovered for them over $ 25,000,000 in verdicts and settlements.

From drafting the complaint, fact discovery, preparation of experts, and motions practice to mediation and settlement, trial, and appeal if necessary, Quinton excels in all phases of civil litigation.

Quinton’s extensive track record of success includes the following published decisions:

Smith v. City of Stockton, 185 F.Supp.3d 1242 (E.D. 2016) – Quinton obtained a settlement of over $ 300,000 for a disabled man, who was attacked by a police dog while he was being unlawfully detained and arrested, and for the man’s minor sister, who witnessed the attack. The published decision is precedent for settling civil rights cases on behalf of minors and disabled people in federal court. It also confirms procedures for preserving need-based government benefits for people who are receiving settlements. Smith v. City of Stockton, 185 F.Supp.3d 1242 (E.D. 2016); 94 Fed.R.Serv.3d 1221.

Mazzetti v. Bellino, 57 F.Supp.3d 1262 (E.D. Cal. 2014) – Quinton represented a young woman who was unlawfully seized, unlawfully arrested, and unlawfully searched by U.S. Park Rangers in Yosemite National Park. The Court reaffirmed that law enforcement officers can be held personally liable for malicious prosecution even though the decision to bring criminal charges rests with the prosecutor. The Court held that the presumption of prosecutorial independence does not bar claims against law enforcement officers who exert pressure on the prosecutor, knowingly provide misinformation, and/or conceal exculpatory evidence.

Richardson v. City of San Francisco (2013) 214 Cal.App.4th 671 – Quinton represented a police officer in an employment disciplinary case against the City and County of San Francisco Police Department. The published appellate decision clarifies the statute of limitations tolling provisions in disciplinary actions brought against an officer under California’s Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act.

Richardson v. City of Antioch, 722 F.Supp.2d 1133 (N.D. Cal. 2010) – Quinton represented a homeowner and her guests after the Antioch Police entered the home without a warrant and unlawfully arrested the owner and the guests, including a 14-year-old girl who was cited for resisting or delaying an officer by allegedly pretending to be asleep. Quinton filed suit in federal court and successfully brought a motion for partial summary judgment against the officers and the Antioch Police Department. The resulting published decision held that the Antioch Officers illegally entered the home in violation of federal and California civil rights laws. The decision has been cited in many other federal cases that address a California civil rights law known as the Bane Act.

Carpenter v. Superior Court (2006) 141 Cal.App.4th 249 – When a trial judge issued an improper order subjecting Quinton’s client to an improper defense mental examination, Quinton successfully sought immediate appellate review. The Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Quinton’s client and established significant safeguards for injury victims when the defendant seeks a mental examination. The Court of Appeal also held that federal copyright protections do not prevent a plaintiff’s attorney from receiving copies of the tests, test answers, and scoring materials used by the defense psychologist. The decision has been widely cited in guidebooks and legal treatises used by attorneys throughout California.

A Passion for Justice And Dedication To Clients

Quinton focuses his practice on helping people who have suffered grave physical and psychological injuries due to the fault of others or who have been the victim of fraud or civil rights abuses. “I am proud to put my knowledge, efforts, and experience into helping my clients fight greedy insurance companies, heartless corporations, careless public agencies, and reckless businesses,” Quinton states.

Quinton’s dedication to his clients has resulted in significant victories and settlements in cases involving:

Quinton has served on the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association since 2008.

Quinton is active member of leading attorney organizations dedicated to the preserving access to justice for all members of society, including the American Association for Justice, Consumer Attorneys of California, the National Police Accountability Project, and Public Justice.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Quinton worked for the Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals in New Orleans, Louisiana. He worked in medical clinics, housing projects, and low-income neighborhoods in and around New Orleans testing, counseling, and interviewing people who were suffering from communicable diseases, including HIV.

$6 million Settlement Wrongful death car accident case filed on behalf of family of woman killed in a head-on collision when defendant's car crossed the center line.

$4.2 million Settlement Settlement reached with City of San Francisco for teen walking in crosswalk who suffered permanent brain injury after being struck by vehicle. City officials were informed intersection was dangerous and failed to make it safer.